Harleti Mery

In the community of La Punta, in the Arequipa region, lives Harleti, a 67-year-old woman who has dedicated much of her life to selling tubers, a traditional and essential activity for the economy of many rural families.

Every day, Harleti selects, weighs, and sells products like potatoes, oca, and other foods that reach the tables of her community. Her work requires effort, experience, and a constant relationship with local farmers and suppliers. At her age, she continues to serve with dedication, maintaining her business as her main source of income and the fruit of years of honest work.

Today, Harleti is requesting a loan to buy more merchandise and to improve her work tools, especially her scale, a key element for providing fair and accurate service to her customers. With these improvements, she will be able to serve her customers better, increase her sales capacity, and strengthen her small business.

In rural areas like La Punta, where direct trade is vital to the family economy, women like Harleti are a pillar in their community, demonstrating that perseverance and effort have no age.

Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteerCindy Kendall. View original language description.